A Message on the “Case Closed” Series

September 29, 2019

Dear Survivors, Friends and Supporters of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center:

Like many of you, it has been difficult for me to read the series “Case Closed,” which was written by Rachel Dissell and Andrea Simakis and published on Cleveland.com last week and in The Plain Dealer special section today.  The series follows the journey of Sandi Fedor, a grandmother who survived rape, as she navigated the criminal justice process.

First, to Sandi:  I marvel at the mountain of courage that you have displayed.  I am astounded by your resiliency and unwillingness to be deterred from holding your rapist accountable.  I am in awe of your bravery in sharing intimate details of your story with Rachel and Andrea, and thus with each of us.  And I am sorry that you were harmed by not only a ‘monster,’ but also by the service providers and systems that exist to help you.  You did not deserve this.  Your selflessness in telling your story publicly is inspiring and shall not be in vain.

Second, to Survivors of rape and sexual abuse:  I suspect that hearing about Sandi’s experience may be triggering for you.  While Sandi’s story is hers alone, there are familiar details, themes and patterns. Certain pieces may resonate loudly for you.  Please know that you and your story are important, too.   If you want support, please call, text or chat with Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s 24/7 Crisis and Support Hotline:  (216) 619-6192 or clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.  We are here for you.

Third, to the individual professionals whose job it is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse and hold offenders accountable:  We can – and must – do better.  Yes, the work is hard.  Yes, we need more resources.  However, the foundation of helping a survivor recover and heal from sexual assault is to simply start by believing her or his experiences.  Each of us must look in the mirror and ask ourselves what more we can do.  We must not allow what has happened to Sandi to happen to any more women, men or children who muster the courage to report their sexual assault.

Fourth, to our City’s leaders:  The path to improving our collective response to survivors of sexual violence is not a secret.  We have the answers.  We have the recommendations.  We have the tools.  We have the knowledge.  And I believe we can find the resources.  What we have lacked is the will to make it happen.  I offer you Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s time, expertise and resources to right the wrongs that have happened to Sandi and so many other survivors. 

Last, to those who are wondering what they can do to help:  It is up to us to generate the political will necessary to bring about the changes we desire.  That starts with what Sandi has bravely modeled for us – using our voices – and needs to continue from each person who is impacted by what they read this week.  Cleveland Rape Crisis Center will continue using our voice to advocate for a trauma-informed and victim-centered community response to sexual violence.  

Change starts with you.  Change starts with me.  Change must start here and now.

Sondra Miller
President & CEO
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center